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Chapter 5
THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT
While examining a thin slice of cork, Robert
Hooke saw that the cork resembled the
structure of a honeycomb consisting of many
little compartments. Cork is a substance
which comes from the bark of a tree. This
OF LIFE
avoid air bubbles while putting the
cover slip with the help of a mounting
needle. Ask your teacher for help. We
have prepared a temporary mount of
onion peel. We can observe this slide
under low power followed by high

om
was in the year 1665 when Hooke made this powers of a compound microscope.
chance observation through a self-designed

.c
microscope. Robert Hooke called these boxes Eyepiece
cells. Cell is a Latin word for ‘a little room’.

ns
This may seem to be a very small and

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insignificant incident but it is very important

ut
Coarse adjustment
in the history of science. This was the very first
Body tube
ol
time that someone had observed that living
Fine adjustment
things appear to consist of separate units. The
ks

Arm
use of the word ‘cell’ to describe these units is
oo

Clip Objective lens

being used till this day in biology. Microscope slide
Let us find out about cells. Stage
rtb

Swivel
Condenser
ce

5.1 What are Living Organisms Mirror

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Made Up of? Base

w
w

Activity ______________ 5.1 Fig. 5.1: Compound microscope

//w

• Let us take a small piece from an onion What do we observe as we look through
s:

bulb. With the help of a pair of forceps,

the lens? Can we draw the structures that
tp

we can peel of f the skin (called

we are able to see through the microscope,
epidermis) from the concave side (inner
ht

layer) of the onion. This layer can be on an observation sheet? Does it look like
put immediately in a watch-glass Fig. 5.2?
containing water. This will prevent the
peel from getting folded or getting dry.
What do we do with this peel?
• Let us take a glass slide, put a drop of Nucleus
water on it and transfer a small piece
of the peel from the watch glass to the Cells
slide. Make sure that the peel is
perfectly flat on the slide. A thin camel
hair paintbrush might be necessary to
help transfer the peel. Now we put a
drop of safranin solution on this piece
followed by a cover slip. Take care to Fig. 5.2: Cells of an onion peel

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We can try preparing temporary mounts
of peels of onions of different sizes. What do
we observe? Do we see similar structures or
different structures?
What are these structures?
These structures look similar to each other.
Together they form a big structure like an
onion bulb! We find from this activity that
onion bulbs of different sizes have similar
small structures visible under a microscope.
The cells of the onion peel will all look the
same, regardless of the size of the onion they
came from.
These small structures that we see are
the basic building units of the onion bulb.
These structures are called cells. Not only
onions, but all organisms that we observe
around are made up of cells. However, there
are also single cells that live on their own.
Cells were first discovered by
Robert Hooke in 1665. He observed
the cells in a cork slice with the help
of a primitive microscope.
Leeuwenhoek (1674), with the
rtb
improved microscope, discovered the
free living cells in pond water for the
ce
first time. It was Robert Brown in
1831 who discovered the nucleus in
.n
More to know
the cell. Purkinje in 1839 coined the
w
ter m ‘protoplasm’ for the fluid
w
substance of the cell. The cell theory,
//w
that all the plants and animals are
composed of cells and that the cell is
s:
the basic unit of life, was presented
tp
by two biologists, Schleiden (1838)
ht
and Schwann (1839). The cell theory
was further expanded by Virchow
(1855) by suggesting that all cells
arise from pre-existing cells. With the
discovery of the electron microscope
in 1940, it was possible to observe and
understand the complex structure of
the cell and its various organelles.
The invention of magnifying lenses led to
the discovery of the microscopic world. It is
now known that a single cell may constitute
a whole organism as in Amoeba,
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Chlamydomonas, Paramoecium and bacteria.
These organisms are called unicellular
organisms (uni = single). On the other hand,
many cells group together in a single body
and assume different functions in it to form
various body parts in multicellular organisms
(multi = many) such as some fungi, plants
and animals. Can we find out names of some
more unicellular organisms?
Every multi-cellular organism has come
from a single cell. How? Cells divide to
produce cells of their own kind. All cells thus
come from pre-existing cells.
Activity ______________ 5.2
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• We can try preparing temporary
mounts of leaf peels, tip of roots of
.c
onion or even peels of onions of different
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sizes.
• After performing the above activity, let
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us see what the answers to the following
ut
questions would be:
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(a) Do all cells look alike in terms of
shape and size?
ks
(b) Do all cells look alike in structure?
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(c) Could we find differences among
cells from different parts of a plant
body?
(d) What similarities could we find?
Some organisms can also have cells of
different kinds. Look at the following picture.
It depicts some cells from the human body.
Blood
cells
Nerve Cell
Smooth
muscle
cell
Bone
Fat cell
cell
Ovum Sperm
Fig. 5.3: Various cells from the human body
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The shape and size of cells are related to
the specific function they perform. Some cells
like Amoeba have changing shapes. In some
cases the cell shape could be more or less
fixed and peculiar for a particular type of cell;
for example, nerve cells have a typical shape.
Each living cell has the capacity to
perform certain basic functions that are
characteristic of all living forms. How does
a living cell perform these basic functions?
We know that there is a division of labour in
multicellular organisms such as human
beings. This means that different parts of
the human body perform different functions.
The human body has a heart to pump blood,
a stomach to digest food and so on. Similarly,
division of labour is also seen within a single
cell. In fact, each such cell has got certain
specific components within it known as cell
organelles. Each kind of cell organelle
performs a special function, such as making
new material in the cell, clearing up the
waste material from the cell and so on. A
cell is able to live and perfor m all its
functions because of these organelles. These
oo
organelles together constitute the basic unit
rtb
called the cell. It is interesting that all cells
are found to have the same organelles, no
ce
matter what their function is or what
.n
organism they are found in.
w
uestions
Q
w
//w
1. Who discovered cells, and how?
2. Why is the cell called the
s:
structural and functional unit of
tp
life?
ht
5.2 What is a Cell Made Up of?
What is the Structural
Organisation of a Cell?
We saw above that the cell has special
components called organelles. How is a cell
organised?
If we study a cell under a microscope, we
would come across three features in almost
THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE
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every cell; plasma membrane, nucleus and
cytoplasm. All activities inside the cell and
interactions of the cell with its environment
are possible due to these features. Let us see
how.
5.2.1 P LASMA MEMBRANE OR CELL
MEMBRANE
This is the outermost covering of the cell that
separates the contents of the cell from its
external environment. The plasma membrane
allows or permits the entry and exit of some
materials in and out of the cell. It also
prevents movement of some other materials.
om
The cell membrane, therefore, is called a
selectively permeable membrane.
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How does the movement of substances
ns
take place into the cell? How do substances
move out of the cell?
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Some substances like carbon dioxide or
ut
oxygen can move across the cell membrane
ol
by a process called diffusion. We have studied
ks
the process of diffusion in earlier chapters.
We saw that there is spontaneous movement
of a substance from a region of high
concentration to a region where its
concentration is low.
Something similar to this happens in cells
when, for example, some substance like CO2
(which is cellular waste and requires to be
excreted out by the cell) accumulates in high
concentrations inside the cell. In the cell’s
external environment, the concentration of
CO2 is low as compared to that inside the
cell. As soon as there is a difference of
concentration of CO2 inside and outside a cell,
CO2 moves out of the cell, from a region of
high concentration, to a region of low
concentration outside the cell by the process
of diffusion. Similarly, O2 enters the cell by
the process of diffusion when the level or
concentration of O2 inside the cell decreases.
Thus, diffusion plays an important role in
gaseous exchange between the cells as well
as the cell and its external environment.
Water also obeys the law of diffusion. The
movement of water molecules through such a
selectively permeable membrane is called
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osmosis. The movement of water across the
plasma membrane is also affected by the amount
of substance dissolved in water. Thus, osmosis
is the passage of water from a region of high
water concentration through a selectively
permeable membrane to a region of low water
concentration till equilibrium is reached.
What will happen if we put an animal cell
or a plant cell into a solution of sugar or salt
in water?
One of the following three things could
happen:
1. If the medium surrounding the cell has
a higher water concentration than the
cell, meaning that the outside solution
is very dilute, the cell will gain water
by osmosis. Such a solution is known
as a hypotonic solution.
Water molecules are free to pass
across the cell membrane in both
directions, but more water will come
into the cell than will leave. The net
(overall) result is that water enters the
cell. The cell is likely to swell up.
2. If the medium has exactly the same
water concentration as the cell, there
rtb
will be no net movement of water
across the cell membrane. Such a
ce
solution is known as an isotonic
.n
solution.
w
Water crosses the cell membrane
in both directions, but the amount
w
going in is the same as the amount
//w
going out, so there is no overall
s:
movement of water. The cell will stay
tp
the same size.
3. If the medium has a lower
ht
concentration of water than the cell,
meaning that it is a very concentrated
solution, the cell will lose water by
osmosis. Such a solution is known as
a hypertonic solution.
Again, water crosses the cell
membrane in both directions, but this
time more water leaves the cell than
enters it. Therefore the cell will shrink.
Thus, osmosis is a special case of diffusion
through a selectively permeable membrane.
Now let us try out the following activity:
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Activity ______________ 5.3
Osmosis with an egg
(a) Remove the shell of an egg by dissolving
it in dilute hydrochloric acid. The shell
is mostly calcium carbonate. A thin
outer skin now encloses the egg. Put
the egg in pure water and observe after
5 minutes. What do we observe?
The egg swells because water passes
into it by osmosis.
(b) Place a similar de-shelled egg in a
concentrated salt solution and observe
for 5 minutes. The egg shrinks. Why?
Water passes out of the egg solution
into the salt solution because the salt
solution is more concentrated.
om
We can also try a similar activity with dried
raisins or apricots.
.c
ns
Activity ______________ 5.4
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• Put dried raisins or apricots in plain
ut
water and leave them for some time.
ol
Then place them into a concentrated
solution of sugar or salt. You will
ks
observe the following:
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(a) Each gains water and swells
when placed in water.
(b) However, when placed in the
concentrated solution it loses
water, and consequently shrinks.
Unicellular freshwater organisms and
most plant cells tend to gain water through
osmosis. Absorption of water by plant roots
is also an example of osmosis.
Thus, diffusion is important in exhange
of gases and water in the life of a cell. In
additions to this, the cell also obtains
nutrition from its environment. Different
molecules move in and out of the cell
through a type of transport requiring use
of energy.
The plasma membrane is flexible and is
made up of organic molecules called lipids
and proteins. However, we can observe the
structure of the plasma membrane only
through an electron microscope.
The flexibility of the cell membrane also
enables the cell to engulf in food and other
material from its external environment. Such
processes are known as endocytosis. Amoeba
acquires its food through such processes.
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Activity ______________ 5.5
• Find out about electron microscopes
from resources in the school library or
through the internet. Discuss it with
your teacher.
uestions
Q
1. How do substances like CO2 and
water move in and out of the cell?
Discuss.
2. Why is the plasma membrane
called a selectively permeable
membrane?
5.2.2 CELL WALL
Plant cells, in addition to the plasma
membrane, have another rigid outer covering
called the cell wall. The cell wall lies outside
the plasma membrane. The plant cell wall is
mainly composed of cellulose. Cellulose is a
complex substance and provides structural
strength to plants.
oo
When a living plant cell loses water
through osmosis there is shrinkage or
rtb
contraction of the contents of the cell away
from the cell wall. This phenomenon is known
ce
as plasmolysis. We can observe this
.n
phenomenon by performing the following
w
activity:
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Activity ______________ 5.6
//w
• Mount the peel of a Rhoeo leaf in water
s:
on a slide and examine cells under
tp
the high power of a microscope. Note
the small green granules, called
ht
chloroplasts. They contain a green
substance called chlorophyll. Put a
strong solution of sugar or salt on the
mounted leaf on the slide. Wait for a
minute and observe under a
microscope. What do we see?
• Now place some Rhoeo leaves in boiling
water for a few minutes. This kills the
cells. Then mount one leaf on a slide
and observe it under a microscope. Put
a strong solution of sugar or salt on
the mounted leaf on the slide. Wait for
a minute and observe it again. What
do we find? Did plasmolysis occur now?
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What do we infer from this activity? It
appears that only living cells, and not dead
cells, are able to absorb water by osmosis.
Cell walls permit the cells of plants, fungi
and bacteria to withstand very dilute
(hypotonic) external media without bursting.
In such media the cells tend to take up water
by osmosis. The cell swells, building up
pressure against the cell wall. The wall exerts
an equal pressure against the swollen cell.
Because of their walls, such cells can
withstand much greater changes in the
surrounding medium than animal cells.
5.2.3 NUCLEUS
om
Remember the temporary mount of onion peel
.c
we prepared? We had put iodine solution on
ns
the peel. Why? What would we see if we tried
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observing the peel without putting the iodine
ut
solution? Try it and see what the difference
ol
is. Further, when we put iodine solution on
ks
the peel, did each cell get evenly coloured?
According to their chemical composition
dif ferent regions of cells get coloured
differentially. Some regions appear darker
than other regions. Apart from iodine solution
we could also use safranin solution or
methylene blue solution to stain the cells.
We have observed cells from an onion; let
us now observe cells from our own body.
Activity ______________ 5.7
• Let us take a glass slide with a drop of
water on it. Using an ice-cream spoon
gently scrape the inside surface of the
cheek. Does any material get stuck on
the spoon? With the help of a needle
we can transfer this material and
spread it evenly on the glass slide kept
ready for this. To colour the material
we can put a drop of methylene blue
solution on it. Now the material is ready
for observation under microscope. Do
not forget to put a cover-slip on it!
• What do we observe? What is the shape
of the cells we see? Draw it on the
observation sheet.
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• Was there a darkly coloured, spherical
or oval, dot-like structure near the
centre of each cell? This structure is
called nucleus. Were there similar
structures in onion peel cells?
The nucleus has a double layered covering
called nuclear membrane. The nuclear
membrane has pores which allow the transfer
of material from inside the nucleus to its
outside, that is, to the cytoplasm (which we
will talk about in section 5.2.4).
The nucleus contains chromosomes,
which are visible as rod-shaped structures
only when the cell is about to divide.
Chromosomes contain infor mation for
inheritance of characters from parents to next
generation in the form of DNA (Deoxyribo
Nucleic Acid) molecules. Chromosomes are
composed of DNA and protein. DNA molecules
contain the information necessary for
constructing and organising cells. Functional
segments of DNA are called genes. In a cell
which is not dividing, this DNA is present as
part of chromatin material. Chromatin
material is visible as entangled mass of thread
rtb
like structures. Whenever the cell is about to
divide, the chromatin material gets organised
ce
into chromosomes.
.n
The nucleus plays a central role in cellular
reproduction, the process by which a single
w
cell divides and forms two new cells. It also
w
plays a crucial part, along with the
//w
environment, in determining the way the cell
s:
will develop and what form it will exhibit at
tp
maturity, by directing the chemical activities
of the cell.
ht
In some organisms like bacteria, the
nuclear region of the cell may be poorly
defined due to the absence of a nuclear
membrane. Such an undefined nuclear region
containing only nucleic acids is called a
nucleoid. Such organisms, whose cells lack
a nuclear membrane, are called prokaryotes
(Pro = primitive or primary; karyote ≈ karyon
= nucleus). Organisms with cells having a
nuclear membrane are called eukaryotes.
Prokaryotic cells (see Fig. 5.4) also lack
most of the other cytoplasmic organelles
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present in eukaryotic cells. Many of the
functions of such organelles are also
performed by poorly organised parts of the
cytoplasm (see section 5.2.4). The chlorophyll
in photosynthetic prokaryotic bacteria is
associated with membranous vesicles (bag
like structures) but not with plastids as in
eukaryotic cells (see section 5.2.5).
Ribosomes
Plasma
membrane
Cell wall
om
Nucleoid
.c
ns
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ut Fig. 5.4: Prokaryotic cell
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ks
5.2.4 CYTOPLASM
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When we look at the temporary mounts of
onion peel as well as human cheek cells, we
can see a large region of each cell enclosed
by the cell membrane. This region takes up
very little stain. It is called the cytoplasm.
The cytoplasm is the fluid content inside the
plasma membrane. It also contains many
specialised cell organelles. Each of these
organelles performs a specific function for the
cell.
Cell organelles are enclosed by
membranes. In prokaryotes, beside the
absence of a defined nuclear region, the
membrane-bound cell organelles are also
absent. On the other hand, the eukaryotic
cells have nuclear membrane as well as
membrane-enclosed organelles.
The significance of membranes can be
illustrated with the example of viruses.
Viruses lack any membranes and hence do
not show characteristics of life until they enter
a living body and use its cell machinery to
multiply.
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uestion 5.2.5 (i) ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM (ER)

Q 1. Fill in the gaps in the following

table illustrating differences
between prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell

1. Size : generally
small ( 1-10 µm)
1 µm = 10–6 m
2. Nuclear region:
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large
network of membrane-bound tubes and
sheets. It looks like long tubules or round or
oblong bags (vesicles). The ER membrane is
similar in structure to the plasma membrane.
There are two types of ER– rough endoplasmic
reticulum (RER) and smooth endoplasmic
reticulum (SER). RER looks rough under a
1. Size: generally microscope because it has particles called
large ( 5-100 µm) ribosomes attached to its surface. The
ribosomes, which are present in all active
cells, are the sites of protein manufacture.
2. Nuclear region: The manufactured proteins are then sent to

om
_______________ well defined and various places in the cell depending on need,
_______________ surrounded by a using the ER. The SER helps in the

.c
and known as__ nuclear membrane manufacture of fat molecules, or lipids,
important for cell function. Some of these

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3. Chromosome: 3. More than one proteins and lipids help in building the cell

io
single chromosome membrane. This pr ocess is known as

ut
membrane biogenesis. Some other proteins
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4. Membrane-bound 4. _______________ and lipids function as enzymes and
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cell organelles _______________ hormones. Although the ER varies greatly in
absent _______________ appearance in different cells, it always forms a
oo

network system.
rtb

5.2.5 CELL ORGANELLES

ce

Every cell has a membrane around it to keep

.n

its own contents separate from the external

w

environment. Large and complex cells,

w

including cells from multicellular organisms,

//w

need a lot of chemical activities to support

their complicated structure and function. To
s:

keep these activities of different kinds

tp

separate from each other, these cells use

ht

membrane-bound little structures (or

‘organelles’) within themselves. This is one of
the features of the eukaryotic cells that
distinguish them from prokaryotic cells. Some
of these organelles are visible only with an
electron microscope. Fig. 5.5: Animal cell
We have talked about the nucleus in a
previous section. Some important examples Thus, one function of the ER is to serve as
of cell organelles which we will discuss now channels for the transport of materials
are: endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, (especially proteins) between various regions
lysosomes, mitochondria and plastids. They of the cytoplasm or between the cytoplasm
are important because they carry out some and the nucleus. The ER also functions as a
very crucial functions in cells. cytoplasmic framework providing a surface

THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE 63

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for some of the biochemical activities of the
cell. In the liver cells of the group of animals
called vertebrates (see Chapter 7), SER plays
a crucial role in detoxifying many poisons and
drugs.
rtb
Fig. 5.6: Plant cell
ce
.n
5.2.5 (ii) GOLGI APPARATUS
w
w
The Golgi apparatus, first described by
//w
Camillo Golgi, consists of a system of
membrane-bound vesicles (flattened sacs)
s:
arranged approximately parallel to each other
tp
in stacks called cisterns. These membranes
ht
often have connections with the membranes
of ER and therefore constitute another portion
of a complex cellular membrane system.
The material synthesised near the ER is
packaged and dispatched to various targets
inside and outside the cell through the Golgi
apparatus. Its functions include the storage,
modification and packaging of products in
vesicles. In some cases, complex sugars may
be made from simple sugars in the Golgi
apparatus. The Golgi apparatus is also
involved in the formation of lysosomes [see
5.2.5 (iii)].
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Camillo Golgi was born at
Corteno near Brescia in
1843. He studied
medicine at the University
of Pavia. After graduating
in 1865, he continued to
work in Pavia at the
Hospital of St. Matteo. At
that time most of his
investigations were
concerned with the nervous system, In 1872
he accepted the post of Chief Medical Officer
at the Hospital for the Chronically Sick at
Abbiategrasso. He first started his
investigations into the nervous system in a
om
little kitchen of this hospital, which he had
converted into a laboratory. However, the
.c
work of greatest importance, which Golgi
ns
carried out was a revolutionary method of
staining individual nerve and cell structures.
io
This method is referred to as the ‘black
ut
reaction’. This method uses a weak solution
ol
of silver nitrate and is particularly valuable
ks
in tracing the processes and most delicate
ramifications of cells. All through his life,
oo
he continued to work on these lines,
modifying and improving this technique.
Golgi received the highest honours and
awards in recognition of his work. He shared
the Nobel prize in 1906 with Santiago
Ramony Cajal for their work on the structure
of the nervous system.
5.2.5 (iii) LYSOSOMES
Structurally, lysosomes are membrane-bound
sacs filled with digestive enzymes. These
enzymes are made by RER. Lysosomes are a
kind of waste disposal system of the cell. These
help to keep the cell clean by digesting any
foreign material as well as worn-out cell
organelles. Foreign materials entering the cell,
such as bacteria or food, as well as old
organelles end up in the lysosomes, which
break complex substances into simpler
substances. Lysosomes are able to do this
because they contain powerful digestive
enzymes capable of breaking down all organic
material. During the disturbance in cellular
metabolism, for example, when the cell gets
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damaged, lysosomes may burst and the
enzymes digest their own cell. Therefore,
lysosomes are also known as the ‘suicide bags’
of a cell.
5.2.5 (iv) MITOCHONDRIA
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses
of the cell. Mitochondria have two membrane
coverings. The outer membrane is porous
while the inner membrane is deeply folded.
These folds increase surface area for ATP-
generating chemical reactions. The energy
required for various chemical activities needed
for life is released by mitochondria in the form
of ATP (Adenosine triphopshate) molecules.
ATP is known as the energy currency of the
cell. The body uses energy stored in ATP for
making new chemical compounds and for
mechanical work.
Mitochondria are strange organelles in the
sense that they have their own DNA and
ribosomes. Therefore, mitochondria are able
to make some of their own proteins.
5.2.5 (V) PLASTIDS
oo
Plastids are present only in plant cells. There
rtb
are two types of plastids – chromoplasts
(coloured plastids) and leucoplasts (white or
ce
colourless plastids). Chromoplasts containing
.n
the pigment chlorophyll are known as
w
chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are important for
photosynthesis in plants. Chloroplasts also
w
contain various yellow or orange pigments in
//w
addition to chlorophyll. Leucoplasts are
s:
primarily organelles in which materials such
as starch, oils and protein granules are stored.
tp
The internal organisation of the Chloroplast
ht
consists of numerous membrane layers
embedded in a material called the stroma. These
are similar to mitochondria in external
structure. Like the mitochondria, plastids also
have their own DNA and ribosomes.
5.2.5 (vi) VACUOLES
Vacuoles are storage sacs for solid or liquid
contents. Vacuoles are small sized in animal
cells while plant cells have very large vacuoles.
The central vacuole of some plant cells may
occupy 50-90% of the cell volume.
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In plant cells vacuoles are full of cell sap
and provide turgidity and rigidity to the cell.
Many substances of importance in the life of
the plant cell are stored in vacuoles. These
include amino acids, sugars, various organic
acids and some proteins. In single-celled
organisms like Amoeba, the food vacuole
contains the food items that the Amoeba has
consumed. In some unicellular organisms,
specialised vacuoles also play important roles
in expelling excess water and some wastes
from the cell.
uestions
Q
1. Can you name the two
om
organelles we have studied that
.c
contain their own genetic
ns
material?
2. If the organisation of a cell is
io
destroyed due to some physical
ut or chemical influence, what will
ol
happen?
ks
3. Why are lysosomes known as
suicide bags?
4. Where are proteins synthesised
inside the cell?
Each cell thus acquires its structure and
ability to function because of the organisation
of its membrane and organelles in specific
ways. The cell thus has a basic structural
organisation. This helps the cells to perform
functions like respiration, obtaining nutrition,
and clearing of waste material, or forming new
proteins.
Thus, the cell is the fundamental structural
unit of living organisms. It is also the basic
functional unit of life.
Cell Division
New cells are formed in organisms in order to
grow, to replace old, dead and injured cells,
and to form gametes required for reproduction.
The process by which new cells are made is
called cell division. There are two main types
of cell division: mitosis and meiosis.
The process of cell division by which most
of the cells divide for growth is called mitosis.
In this process, each cell called mother cell
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Fig. 5.7: Mitosis Fig. 5.8: Meiosis

divides to form two identical daughter cells offspring. They divide by a different process
(Fig. 5.7). The daughter cells have the same called meiosis which involves two consecutive
number of chromosomes as mother cell. It divisions. When a cell divides by meiosis it
helps in growth and repair of tissues in produces four new cells instead of just two (Fig.

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organisms. 5.8). The new cells only have half the number
Specific cells of reproductive organs or of chromosomes than that of the mother cells.

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tissues in animals and plants divide to form Can you think as to why the chromosome

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gametes, which after fertilisation give rise to number has reduced to half in daughter cells?

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What ut
ol
ks

you have
oo

learnt
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• The fundamental organisational unit of life is the cell.

ce

• Cells are enclosed by a plasma membrane composed of lipids

.n

and proteins.
w

• The cell membrane is an active part of the cell. It regulates

w

the movement of materials between the ordered interior of

the cell and the outer environment.
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• In plant cells, a cell wall composed mainly of cellulose is

s:

located outside the cell membrane.

tp

• The presence of the cell wall enables the cells of plants,

ht

fungi and bacteria to exist in hypotonic media without

bursting.
• The nucleus in eukaryotes is separated from the cytoplasm
by double-layered membrane and it directs the life processes
of the cell.
• The ER functions both as a passageway for intracellular
transport and as a manufacturing surface.
• The Golgi apparatus consists of stacks of membrane-bound
vesicles that function in the storage, modification and
packaging of substances manufactured in the cell.
• Most plant cells have large membranous organelles called
plastids, which are of two types – chromoplasts and
leucoplasts.

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• Chromoplasts that contain chlorophyll are called

chloroplasts and they perform photosynthesis.
• The primary function of leucoplasts is storage.
• Most mature plant cells have a large central vacuole that
helps to maintain the turgidity of the cell and stores
important substances including wastes.
• Prokaryotic cells have no membrane-bound organelles, their
chromosomes are composed of only nucleic acid, and they
have only very small ribosomes as organelles.
• Cells in organisms divide for growth of body, for repalcing
dead cells, and for forming gametes for reproduction.

Exercises

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1. Make a comparison and write down ways in which plant

.c
cells are different from animal cells.

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2. How is a prokaryotic cell different from a eukaryotic cell?
3. What would happen if the plasma membrane ruptures or

io
breaks down?
ut
4. What would happen to the life of a cell if there was no Golgi
ol
apparatus?
ks

5. Which organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell? Why?

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6. Where do the lipids and proteins constituting the cell

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membrane get synthesised?

7. How does an Amoeba obtain its food?
ce

8. What is osmosis?
.n

9. Carry out the following osmosis experiment:

w

Take four peeled potato halves and scoos each one out to
w

make potato cups. One of these potato cups should be made

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from a boiled potato. Put each potato cup in a trough

containing water. Now,
s:

(a) Keep cup A empty

tp

(b) Put one teaspoon sugar in cup B

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(c) Put one teaspoon salt in cup C

(d) Put one teaspoon sugar in the boiled potato cup D.
Keep these for two hours. Then observe the four potato cups
and answer the following:
(i) Explain why water gathers in the hollowed portion of
B and C.
(ii) Why is potato A necessary for this experiment?
(iii) Explain why water does not gather in the hollowed out
portions of A and D.
10. Which type of cell division is required for growth and repair
of body and which type is involved in formation of gametes?

THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE 67

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